Pollux calls the dracunculus a piece of corrupted nerve which sometimes comes from the sores of Ethiopians, but seldom troubles other people.
Actuarius, like our author, mentions that the dracunculi occur most commonly in the region above Egypt, being generally formed in the muscular parts, and that in process of time the part becomes livid and suppurates. They are killed, he adds, by bitter and acrid things.
Avicenna comprehends in his account whatever information could be gleaned from preceding writers. He says the dracunculus is called vena medine, from Medine, the name of the country where it is most prevalent. It occasions a blister in the part which bursts, when a red and somewhat blackish substance protrudes and gradually increases in length. He directs us to correct the habit which gives rise to it by baths, humid food, and the like. His treatment is similar to that of Aëtius and our author, namely, binding a ligature round the arm, fastening a piece of lead to the worm, using fomentations of warm water, and the like.
Haly Abbas mentions the vena as being a worm which forms principally in the legs of the inhabitants of warm countries, such as India, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Lybia.
Avenzoar says that the complaint most commonly attacks negroes, being formed by gross humours, for dispelling which he recommends internally various sharp and acrid medicines, such as squills, nettles, colocynth, &c. He further directs a piece of lead to be bound firmly over the worm so that it may be made to crawl out gradually, which, however, he says, will not be accomplished in less time than a year.
Alsaharavius states the danger of breaking the worm (vena). He recommends the same treatment as Avicenna. The conclusion of his chapter on the dracunculus decides him to be the same person as Albucasis.
Albucasis recommends us to fasten to the end of the animal a piece of lead from one to two drs. in weight, and thereby to extract it gradually. He says that in some cases the animal is as long as fifteen palms, nay, that he had seen one twenty palms long.
Rhases says that the dracunculus takes place in hot and squalid bodies, and is formed by the use of potherbs and fruits. He recommends gradually increased doses of aloes, and when the animal protrudes it is to be wrapped round a leaden reed one dr. in weight, so that it may be dragged out gradually. He cautions us not to leave any part of it in the body. He also approves of incision as described by our author. In his ‘Continens’ he collects the opinions of Galen, Paulus, and others. He says that it forms most commonly in the bodies of persons who bathe frequently, and drink much wine. He says that he had seen it extracted by making free incisions.
See an interesting account of the guinea-worm in No. 66 of the ‘Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal,’ by Mr. Scott, surgeon, Madras.